2014 Sneak Peek: Hot New Gear

Ibis Ripley: First Ride

7 / 13

I was surprised by the firm, almost racy rear suspension on the 120mm-travel Ibis Ripley 29—I expected something plusher. In fact, the rear end felt so efficient that I only used the wide-open platform setting on the Fox rear shock. Although the bike handled well, it felt slightly unbalanced—the plush 140mm-travel Fox 34 fork didn’t always mesh with the firm rear suspension. Even so, the bike capably leveled rock gardens at speed. My test was cut short when a sharp rock slashed my sidewall, but I was left wanting to ride this bike again, and to see how it performs with a 120mm fork.